715-845-3200You can brush all you want, but if your toothbrush isn’t taken care of, your teeth won’t get clean! This can be very frustrating, and can lead to tooth decay and other dental emergencies. Here are 4 ways to take better care of your toothbrush. It’s never too late to improve!
Correct Storage: Try to store your toothbrush away from other toothbrushes. If you must store it around other toothbrushes, make sure the heads don’t touch. This will cross-contaminate the toothbrushes, leading to the spread of germs and bacteria. Make sure you are storing your toothbrush upright, and in open air. Storing it in a closed-off area will allow germs to grow and bacteria to spread quickly. If you must store it in a closed space, say for travel purposes, do so for only a short period of time.
Fly Solo: Never, ever use someone else’s toothbrush. This will spread bacteria and potentially disease or infection. Never use your toothbrush for anything other than brushing your own teeth.
Soft Touch: Be sure to find and use a toothbrush with soft bristles, as hard bristles can damage and wear away tooth enamel. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when shopping for your toothbrush.
Treat Yourself: You should know that the average life of a toothbrush is only 3-4 months! That means you should get a new toothbrush (or electric toothbrush head) about every season of the year. Take this opportunity to treat yourself! Again, look for toothbrushes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. You’ll be surprised at how many fun colors and styles are available.
For more information on simple health habits for a happy smile, contact Szmanda Dental at 715-845-3200. Dr.Paul Szmanda, Tom Nichols, Aaron Pavelski, Kate Collelo and Jacob Baumgartner and our team will be happy to help your smile reach its full potential.